The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
luke 18:6-7
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?”
Luke 18:1-8
Reflection
Jesus tells a parable about a persistent widow to explain how the disciples should always pray without wearying. The widow continually pesters a bad judge to give her a just judgment against an adversary. He initially does not, but finally relents because she bothers him constantly. Jesus then says that God will answer those who cry out to him day and night, rendering justice speedily.
Are we like the persistent widow, continually praying to God? It might not be for a judgment or decision, but perhaps a heartfelt prayer that needs answering. Jesus tells us that God will answer us if we persist in our prayer. However, this requires faith – especially if our prayer is not answered in the way we want it to be.
God knows exactly what we need and will provide it at the appropriate time. It is difficult to continue praying when we feel our prayers aren’t being heard. With faith and trust, though, we must continue on with our petitions, for the Lord will respond in his perfect way.
Jesus is pleased when we rely completely on him. Work on developing and strengthening your prayer life. By simply speaking to God, we are praying and lifting our hearts to him. Ask Jesus for the strength to persevere in your prayer life, especially when it’s most difficult – he will reward you, in this life or the next.
Saint of the Day
St. Margaret of Scotland: 1045 – 1093
“She was endowed with a wonderful spirit of compunction. When she would be speaking to me of the sweetness of everlasting life, her words were full of all grace. So great was her fervour and compunction on these occasions, that she seemed as if she would quite melt into tears; so that her devotion drew also from me tears of compunction. In the church no one was more still in silence, no one more intent than she at prayer.”
Written about St. Margaret by her confessor, a monk named Theodoric
The Healing Word 